Over the last thirty years, “SNL” has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of a generation and as “The New York Times” noted on the occasion of the show’s Emmy winning 25th Anniversary special in 1999: “In defiance of both time and show business convention, “SNL” [is] still the most pervasive influence on the art of comedy in contemporary culture.” At the close of the century, “Saturday Night Live” placed seventh on Entertainment Weekly’s list of the Top 100 Entertainers of the past fifty years.

Thus far, the program has won 18 Emmy Awards and been nominated for more than 80. “SNL” has been honored with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and cited as “truly a national institution.” Most recently, “Saturday Night Live” was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame by the National Association of Broadcasters. The show continues to garner the highest ratings of any late-night television program, entertaining millions each week.

“SNL’s” impressive lineup of guest hosts last season featured some of the biggest stars of film, television and music including: Matt Damon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eric McCormack, Nia Vardalos, Brittany Murphy, Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Salma Hayek, Bernie Mac, Ray Romano, Ashton Kutcher, Adrien Brody and Dan Aykroyd. The show also featured the acting debuts of NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon and headline-making turns by former Vice President Al Gore and Senator John McCain.

“SNL’s” debut in 1975 was named #4 on the VH-1/Entertainment Weekly list of Greatest Rock & Roll Moments on Television. The show continued its unparalleled tradition of featuring both blockbuster and breakout musical acts hosting such performers as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Faith Hill, The White Stripes, Jay-Z, Eve, Nelly, Norah Jones, Phish, Avril Lavigne, The Donnas, The Dixie Chicks, Beck, Foo Fighters, Christina Aguilera, Ms. Dynamite, Good Charlotte, Zwan, 50 Cent, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder and Beyoncé.

“Saturday Night Live,” which premiered October 11, 1975, is broadcast live from NBC’s famed Studio 8H in New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The program is a production of Broadway Video in association with SNL Studios. Lorne Michaels is the executive producer.